Ebola resources

The threat of Ebola to the UK remains low, but as frontline NHS staff, is important that GPs and practice teams are prepared, in the event that the disease does reach this country.

Please share this information with your entire practice staff, and any colleagues who may not have seen it.

RCGP resources

The RCGP has put together a ‘common sense’ guide to Ebola for GPs and their teams with specific instructions for each staff position.

The step-by-step guidance is presented in the form of a card index, and has been designed to ensure that patients receive the best and speediest care possible – and that practice teams are protected from possible contamination – in the event of the virus reaching the UK.

The cards provide tailored advice aimed at individual members of the GP practice team outlining your specific duties and responsibilities, should a patient present with Ebola-type symptoms or rings the surgery for advice

There is also advice for patients, with practical recommendations for what to do if they are in the GP practice or at home.

The cards have been compiled by Dr Simon Stockley, a GP from Stockton-On-Tees who has a track record in preparing for health emergencies, with input from Dr Imran Rafi, Chair of the RCGP Clinical Innovation and Research Centre.

Please feel free to adapt these and use them to suit your practice.

External resources

Health authorities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are continuously monitoring the situation and have developed the following resources for healthcare professionals and patients.

UK wide

We suggest printing the guidance for easy access for the whole practice and writing the name and contact number of your Local Health Protection Team and Local Infectious Disease physician on the front.

Further information:

Donations

Over 5000 people have lost their lives to Ebola worldwide. If you would like to support the work of healthcare professionals – including British Army medics – on the ground in West Africa, please consider making a donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ebola Crisis Appeal http://www.dec.org.uk/appeals/ebola-crisis-appeal

Alternatively, Medicins Sans Frontiers/Doctors Without Borders is one of many charities doing some excellent work across West Africa to try and contain the disease and doing their best to treat and save as many lives as possible. Read more about their work here and if you would like to support them, you can donate here.